KILLED BY CAR.

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 October 1927, Page 5

KILLED BY CAR.

DRIVER NOT TO BLAME. (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, October 28. The trial of Alfred Louis Hastedt, charged with negligently driving a motor car and causing the death of George Andrew Benjamin Norton, took place at the Supreme Court today. The accident giving rise to the case, occurred on the Great North Road, Grey Lynn, on August 12. The widow of the deceased gave evidence that she was boarding a tramcar when she heard a crash, and saw that her husband, who had gone back to get a bag she had left at home, had been struck down as he was returning. Estimates of the accused’s speed ranged from 25 to 30 miles an hour. The police evidence disclosed that the accused, in a statement, said he was travelling at 20 miles- an hour, on the correct side of the road, when the deceased suddenly ran out. The accused said he pulled up in 15 yards. “Do you think that, on the evidence, you are entitled to ask the jury to return a verdict of guilty?” Justice Reed asked counsel for the Crown, at the conclusion of the case for the prosecution. Mr Hubble admitted that there was room for very grave doubt on the question of negligence, but said that he preferred the jury to decide. His Honor: If this man can be convicted, anyone can be in a case where he strikes a man who runs out on the street in front of hiyi. Mr Hubble: I admit that the circumstances are not so strong as in many cases brought before the Court. His Honor (to the jury): Do you tvant to hear any more evidence? The Foreman and several members of the jury replied that they did not, and after a short discussion a verdict 'of "Not Guilty” was returned without the jury leaving their benches. “I quite agree with you,” said Justice Reed. “I do not think the evidence warrants any other verdict.” The accused was discharged. MOTOR-CYCLIST’S DEATH. HAWERA, October .28. Walter William Vickery pleaded no( guilty before Magistrate Carton, and was committed for trial on a charge of negligently driving a motor car on the main road near Manaia on June 18, thereby causing the death of a motor cyclist, Otto Amlehn, who died at the hospital on July 4. The prosecution alleged that deceased was knocked down by the accused’s car; his injuries sustained resulting in his death.